BISHOP OF AUCKLAND.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 178, 13 March 1914, Page 2

BISHOP OF AUCKLAND.

Welcomed to PukekoheIn connection with the visit cf the Bishop cf Auckland to Pukekohe on Thursday an enjoyable functijn took place at the Oeklfellows' Hall at noon, when his Lordship was entertained at luncheon. About 100 guests were present. A capital spread was prepared for which Mesdames Motion, Dobson, J. Adams, Griffiths, R. Brownlee, Haslem, Cooper, Wylie, Mcßoe, rinrt. and the Misses Bilkey, Dell, Brown (2), Barter, Adams, Foulkos and Fausctt were; chiefly responsible. After the repast the vicar of Pukekohe, Rev. F. B. Dobson, aai 1 he was very glad indeed tu welcome the bishop to Pukekohe. He nr.d heard of his Lordship for many years and was glad when the bishop bad sees his way to accept his august position at the head of the diocese. The speaker trusted that the Bishop of Auckland would long be spared to hold that position. (Applause). The Mayor (Mr Lawrie), on behalf of the borough, extended a welcome to their distinguished visitor.

Mr J. Wylie, president of the A. and P. Society, after welcoming their guest, said he hoped that the bishop would be long spared to be the guiding and leading light of the diocese ot Auckland.

Rev. W. G. Wood, of Papakura, congratulated the people of Pukekohe upon their entertainment at this luncheon, saying that the visiting clergy folly appreciated the privilege of partaking of the excellent things that were provide! Auckland had distinguished itself by helping itself tu its neighnur's bishOD, and he smilingly suggatted that another commandment should be added atsinst coveting another's bishop. But having got th> bishoD they should fulfil their promisei by rendering him every loyal and efficient service. The cLrgy hid promised to do that and it was also for the laity, who held th 3 pane, to do their share. They had been some lime without a bishop, and he trusted now that they would not re.iew their reputation lor breaking down their bishons They would have noticed a little pastor.*! that the Bishop of Auckland recently issued which showed that in the Home Mission fund there was a deficit of £1500; it was that sort or thing which broke down bishops and he. sincerely hoped that in years lo come the promises of this diocese would have been fulfilled and that the bishop would be able to say that their works were as good as their words There was proloned applause when the Bishop rose to rply. Ha fotind it difficult, he said, tu hod wo:da with which to express his thanks for the excellent opportunity that had been given him of meeting this gathering of friends. He was not a stranger to the diocese and he felt that the all round experience he had wss just the experience required for even such a difficult charge as Auckland. He spoke of the strenuous times he had had and trusted that, under God, his work would be as successful as it had been in the past. In thanking Mr Wylie, bis Lordship said he was intensely interested in farming—and wai a judge of Romneys That day, in company with the vicar and Mr Barter, he had ecen something of this interesting country. His first impressions were very pleasant for the views reminded him of the Old Country, many of ihem bein* very similar to parts of England. He took an interest in civics, too, and the welcome from the Mayor was acceptable. He congratulated the authorities of Pukekohe upon the progress that had been made and he hoped that in a progressive place like this the church people would not lag behind. The present church in Pukrkohe had done good service but he did not think it a right and proper thing to allow church buillings to tail behind an advancing district. He hoped and trusted that the church as a body would not allow tbeir buildings to be a sort of eve-sore in the midst of a progressive town. He liked to cee the church people progressive and taking their part in the general development of the district in which they lived. He did not want fo see them out-of-date In the midst of what was up-to-date. His Lordship thanked the Rev. W. Wood for the gentle reminder he had given the people about the Homo Mission funds. Hard work did not kill; it was worry that did it. The first thing ne had to face on coming to Auckland was that the Home Mission fund had gone back £IOOO last year. Parsons were not regarded el business men, but he had enough capacity to know that you cannot go on losing £IOOO a year in any business. So they must either put this fund on a proper tooting or withdraw half the men who were doing the pioneering work ni the church, and it would be a disgrace to do that. His Lordship was glad tu say that good results had already accrued from his short pastoral. Another point touched on was that in many places the clergy were not paid a living wage. "If you wai-t to help your Bishop," said his Lordship, "help my clergy." His Lordship concluded a friendly, helpful and particularly tactful speech by again thanking the parish for its delightful welcome. In the afternoon a confirmation service was held in St. Matthew's Church, when the church was taxed to its utmost to accommodate the friends of the confirhiees, or whom there were 22, six boys and sixteen girls.